Top down mounting system for faucet

ABSTRACT

A top mounting faucet assembly comprising a mounting plate that may be mounted to a sink surface, a waterway tube, a faucet body housing, and a locking mechanism. The waterway tube is housed within the faucet body housing, to form a removable faucet assembly. The locking mechanism is attached to the mounting plate. This removable faucet assembly is mounted upon the mounting plate by attaching the faucet assembly to the locking mechanism.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/373,277, filed Apr. 17, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a top mounting system forfaucets in which the faucet may be mounted from the top of thecountertop or sink.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The installation of a faucet onto a countertop or sink is adifficult and time-consuming task. At least some of the installationmust be done with the installer being in the confined and hard to workin area under the counter or sink. There is a need to provide a lesscumbersome and complicated system of installing faucets or interchangingdifferent faucet styles, such as single handle faucets and two handlefaucets, onto a countertop or sink which can be done largely from thetop of the countertop or sink. The present invention provides such asystem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The instant invention relates to a faucet containing a valveassembly for mounting on a sink ledge from above or the top of the sinkledge. The top mounting system includes a mounting plate for mounting onthe top of the sink ledge containing means for attaching a faucet bodyhousing to the mounting plate. The mounting plate has two verticaldownwardly extending support rods which extend through access openingsin the sink ledge and on which are mounted vertically movable clampingarms which are adapted to abut against the underside of the sink ledge,thereby clamping the mounting plate to the sink ledge. Rotation of thesupport rods, which are preferably threaded, effects movement of theclamping arms toward the underside of the sink ledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the top mounting faucetassembly on a countertop or sink ledge;

[0006]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the top mounting faucetassembly mounted on a sink ledge with the locking members in the down orunlocked position;

[0007]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 except that the locking membersare in the up or locked position;

[0008]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the mounting plate with thelocking members in a down or unlocked position;

[0009]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the mounting plate on a sink ledgewith the locking members in a down or unlocked position;

[0010]FIG. 6 is a partial view of the mounting plate with the lockingmembers in a down or unlocked position;

[0011]FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 except that the mounting plateis disposed on a sink ledge;

[0012]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 except that the locking memberis in an up or locked position;

[0013]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a locking mechanism that secures themounting plate to the faucet body housing;

[0014]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a locking member;

[0015]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the mounting plate on asink ledge with the locking members in an up or locked position;

[0016]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the mounting plate on a sink ledgewith the locking members in an up or locked position;

[0017]FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate embodiment for connecting thefaucet body housing to the mounting plate, specifically by fasteningmeans such as screws;

[0018]FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a locking mechanismutilized to secure the faucet body housing to the mounting plate;

[0019]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism utilized tosecure the faucet body housing to the mounting plate with the lockingarms extended or in the out position;

[0020]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 15with the locking arms extended;

[0021]FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 except that the locking armsare in a retracted position;

[0022]FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the locking mechanism withthe locking arms in an extended position;

[0023]FIG. 19 is a sectional top plan view of the locking mechanism withthe locking arms in a retracted position;

[0024]FIG. 20 is a front elevational view, in section, of the lockingmechanism with the locking arms in an extended position;

[0025]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a lockingmechanism that secures the faucet body housing to the mounting platewith the locking arms in the extended position;

[0026]FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodimentof the locking mechanism utilized to secure the faucet body housing tothe mounting plate;

[0027]FIG. 22a is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of thelocking mechanism utilized to secure the faucet body housing to themounting plate;

[0028]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a single handle faucet housing,as opposed to a two-handle faucet housing illustrated in FIGS. 1-3,which may be mounted on the mounting plate;

[0029]FIG. 24 is a bottom plan view of a faucet body housing containinga waterway with the locking mechanism attached thereto by screws; and

[0030]FIG. 25 is an exploded view of an alternate locking mechanismutilized to secure the faucet body housing to the mounting plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a top mounting faucet assembly 20 isshown in conjunction with a countertop or sink ledge 10, having accessopenings 11, 12 on which it is mounted. The top mounting faucet assemblyincludes a mounting plate 21, a tube waterway 40, a faucet body housing90 with a base 92 and a spout 94, and a locking mechanism 100. Anundercover plate (not shown) is connected to cover the underside of thespout 94 and the waterway 40.

[0032] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 for a two-handlefaucet, the waterway 40 is generally “T” shaped with two arms 42, 44 anda spout leg 46 extending from the arms 42, 44 to form a “T” shape. Atthe free end of the spout leg 46 is a discharge head 47 in which isdisposed an aerator (not shown). The two arms 42, 44 of the waterway 40are connected to valves 50, 52 that deliver water to the waterway 40.The waterway 40, including the arms 42, 44 and the spout leg 46 aredisposed within the faucet body housing 90 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and3.

[0033] The mounting plate 21 is mounted from the top of the sink orcountertop 10, and sits on top of the countertop 10. It should be notedthat the mounting plate 21 might also be mounted from the underside ofthe countertop 10. Extending downwardly from mounting plate 21 are twoinlet water conduits 22, 23. Inlet water conduits pass through accessopenings 11, 12 in the countertop 10, and are connected to water supplytubes (not shown) under the countertop 10 or sink. Inlet water conduits22, 23 receive, at their top ends 24, 25 tubes 54, 55 of waterway 40which extend downwardly from valves 50, 52. Tubes 24, 25 carry hot andcold water from inlet water conduits 22, 23 to valves 50, 52.

[0034] To mount the faucet assembly 20 onto the countertop 10 waterinlet conduits 22, 23, mounting plate locking members 60, 61, threadedmembers 70, 71, and securing members 80 and 82 of threaded members 70,71, are inserted through the access openings 11, 12, and the mountingplate 21 is lowered until it rests on the countertop 10.

[0035] The mounting plate 21 locking members 60, 61 are verticallymovably mounted on threaded members 70, 71 that are disposed coaxialwith and adjacent to water conduits 22, 23, respectively.

[0036] When the mounting plate 21 is on the countertop 10, the threadedmembers 70, 71 are rotated to cause the mounting plate locking members60, 61 to move up or down on the threaded members 70, 71. As bestillustrated in FIG. 4 counterclockwise rotation of threaded members 70,71 causes locking members 60, 61 to move downwardly or away fromcountertop 10 to an unlocked position. A clockwise rotation of threadedmembers 70, 71, as seen in FIG. 8, causes locking members 60, 61 to moveupwardly or toward countertop 10 to a locked position.

[0037] In the locked position the tops 66, 65 of fingers 62, 63 oflocking members 60, 61 abut the bottom or underside of countertop 10,thereby securing mounting plate 21 to countertop 10.

[0038] The locking members 60, 61 are prevented from rotating with thethreaded members 70, 71 as they are turned, by guide surfaces 67, 68 ofthe locking members 60, 61. Guide surfaces 67, 68 abut against waterinlet conduits upon rotation of the locking members. This causes lockingmembers 60, 61 to ride up or down threaded members 70, 71 as thesethreaded members are rotated instead of rotating 360° with the rotationof the threaded members 70, 71.

[0039] Threaded members 70, 71 are stabilized and secured at theirbottom portions by securing members 80, 82. The threaded members 70, 71extend through apertures 83, 85 in securing members 80, 82. Securingmembers 80, 82 are mounted on water inlet conduits 22, 23 via apertures84, 86 into which water conduits 22, 23 are inserted.

[0040] To remove the top mounting faucet assembly 20 from the countertopor sink ledge 10, threaded members 70, 71 are turned in acounter-clockwise manner, as illustrated in FIG. 4, moving the lockingmembers 60, 61 downwardly away from the underside of the sink ledge 10.The water inlet conduits 22, 23, mounting plate locking members 60, 61,threaded members 70, 71, and threaded members securing or stabilizingmembers 80, 82 of mounting plate 21 are then pulled up through theaccess openings 11, 12 in the sink ledge 10.

[0041] As best seen in FIG. 5 in the unlocked or down position fingers62, 63 of locking members 60, 61 are swiveled against the inlet waterconduits 22, 23, and can be pulled out through access openings.

[0042] As seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the up or locked position fingers62, 63 of locking members 60, 61 are swiveled away from inlet waterconduits 22, 23 and their tops 66, 65 abut against the bottom orunderside of countertop 10. In this position the fingers 62, 63 cannotbe pulled through access openings 11, 12.

[0043] It is also possible that the water inlet conduits 22 and 23 maybe threaded on the outer surface itself. This would then allow themounting plate 21 to be installed in the conventional under-the-sinkfashion using compatible nuts. Other known methods for under-the-sinkattaching of the mounting plate 21 are envisioned as part of thisinvention.

[0044] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the faucet bodyhousing 90 is attached to mounting plate 21 by fastening members 35, 36such as screws or bolts which pass through aligned openings 95, 96, 37,38 in raised ears 33, 34, 93, 94.

[0045] In another embodiment the faucet housing 90 is attached tomounting plate 21 by a locking mechanism 100. The locking mechanism 100is mounted on the mounting plate 21 by means of two spaced apartsecuring members 28, 29 extending upwardly from the mounting plate 21.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the attachment means 28, 29 of mountingplate 21 comprise an upwardly extending tab portion having a verticalbody portion 28 a and an inwardly angled arm 29 a. The inwardly angledarm 29 a has a sloping leading ledge 30.

[0047] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 14-21, the lockingmechanism 100 is comprised of a top cover 101 and a bottom cover 102.Two spring-loaded locking arms 106, 108 are located in the lockingmechanism and movably extend out the two opposite open sides of thelocking mechanism 100. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 19, the lockingmechanism 100 further comprises spring pairs 109 and 110 that have oneend located within openings 108 a in the locking arms 106 and 108, andthe other end resting against an inner wall 102 a of the bottom cover102. Also shown in FIG. 14, are linkages 113 and 114, having an outerend 113 a and an inner end 114 a. The outer ends 113 a of linkages 113and 114 are attached by pins 115, 118 to the locking arms 106 and 108.The inner ends 114 a of the linkages 113 and 114 are similarly attachedto an operating rod 112 via pins 116 and 117. The operating rod has astop 112 a on its upper surface that rides within a guide slot 101 awithin the top cover 101 of the locking mechanism 100.

[0048] When these locking arms 106, 108 are extended they engagesecuring members 28, 29 on the mounting plate 21. The locking arms 106,108, being spring loaded, are normally in an extended position, as shownin FIGS. 15, 16 and 18. The spring loaded locking arms 106 and 108 haveangled top surfaces 106 a and bottom surfaces 106 b. Once the mountingplate 21 is installed on top of the sink ledge or countertop 10, thelocking mechanism 100 may be installed onto the mounting plate 21 bysimply aligning the faucet body housing 90 over the mounting plate 21and pressing the faucet body housing into place. As the lockingmechanism 100 is pressed into position, the bottom sloping surfaces 106b abut the sloping leading ledge 30 of the mounting plate 21. Thisbottom sloping surface 106 b assists the locking arms 106, 108 toretract into the locking mechanism 100. Once inserted, the locking arms106, 108 spring back to their original extended position, therebylocking the faucet body housing 90 into position onto the mounting plate21. After the locking arms 106, 108 are in place, the installer can thenpull out or extend the operating rod 112, which, as shown in FIG. 19,drives the inner ends 114 a of linkages 113, 114 downwards, furtherforcing locking arms 106, 108 outwards against the angled arm 29 a ofattachment means 28, 29. Once the linkages 113, 114 pass throughhorizontal, corresponding to when the stop 112 a reaches the limit ofguide slot 101 a. This locks the locking arms 106, 108 in the fullylocked position.

[0049] To retract the locking arms to a retracted position, as shown inFIGS. 17 and 21, so that the faucet body housing 90 can be removed fromthe mounting plate 21, an operating rod 112 is pushed inwardly into thelocking mechanism 100 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 17. This, as shownin FIG. 19, causes linkage 113, 114, to swivel, which results in inwardretraction of locking arms 106, 108 against the opening forces causedvia springs 109 and 110. Upon release of inward force upon operating rod112 springs 109, 110 force locking arms 106, 108 out of the sides oflocking mechanism 100 and to their extended locking positions.

[0050] In a second embodiment a different locking mechanism 200 asillustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 can be used in place of locking mechanism100. This locking mechanism 200 also has two locking arms 206, 208extending from its sides. Just as with locking mechanism 100, thelocking arms 206, 208 are normally in an extended or locking position.The locking members 206, 208 are retained in a heel block 300 by meansof a modified dovetail, with mating flanges 302 being inserted withinslots 301 of the heel block 300. The slots 301 in the heel block 300 arewider than the mating flange 302 on the two locking arms 206, 208. Asshown in FIG. 22, heel block 300 also comprises a central cylindricalguide having a threaded inner surface 307. Worm screw 304 is matinglyreceived within the cylindrical guide. Hence, by rotating worm screw304, an operator can move heel block 300 forwards and backwards. By sodoing, the angled cam portion 306 of heel block 300 forces the lockingarms 206, 208 between a locked position, when fully extended, and aretracted position, when the locking arms 206, 208 are drawn inwardswithin housing 202.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 22a, springs 303 are mounted behind heel 300against housing 202. The springs 303 serve to provide some forwardpressure on the heel block 300 as the heel block 300 is moved forward inorder to lock locking arms 206, 208, effectively “snapping” locking arms206, 208 into the locked position.

[0052] As worm screw 304 is rotated in a clockwise direction, heel block300 is moved forward within housing 202. The locking arms 206, 208 willbe forced out by the angled cam portion 306 of heel block 300, therebylocking the mechanism 200 to the securing members 28, 29.

[0053] A groove 305 on worm screw 304 rests in a tab 312 on the housings201, 202 which allows the worm screw 304 to rotate without changingposition. A lock 310 can be used to maintain the worm screw 304 in thelocked position.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 24 the locking mechanism 100 may besecured to the faucet body housing 90 by screws 95 screwed into bosses96-99 formed in the underside of faucet body housing 90. However, theattachment means may be employed.

[0055]FIG. 25 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lockingmechanism 400, similar to locking mechanism 100. As shown in FIG. 25,locking mechanism 400 comprises a top cover 410, and a housing 420. Thetop cover 410 has a body portion 411 having a slot 418 located therein.A ledge 413 extends downwards from the edges of the top cover 410 ateach of the four corners. Mounting arms 412 extend outwards from theledges 413 at the four corners of the top cover 410, the mounting arms412 having mounting holes 414 for attaching the locking mechanism 400 tothe faucet housing body 90. The top cover further has attachment holes416 for securing the top cover 410 to the housing 420. As shown in FIG.25, downwardly extending nodes 419 are located between the attachmentholes 416.

[0056] The housing 420 comprises a main body portion 422 having upwardlyextending supports 424 at the four corners of the housing 420, eachsupport having a top surface 425. A slot 426 is located in the main bodyportion 422. Upwardly extending inner walls 428 form a partiallyenclosed passageway within the housing 420. Extending outwards from theinner walls 428 are attachment tabs 430 which correspond to theattachment holes 416 of the top cover 410. Inward of the attachment tabs430 are retaining grooves 432.

[0057] Enclosed within the housing 420 is a cam bolt 440, linkage arms460 a and 460 b, paired springs 470, and outwardly extending lockingarms 480. The cam bolt 440 has an operating end 442 and an attachmentend 444. A cylindrical shaft 446 runs between the operating end 442 andthe attachment end 444. Attachment wings 448 having holes 450 extendoutwards from the cylindrical shaft 446. A groove 452 is cut into thecylindrical shaft 446 adjacent the attachment end 444. A recess 454 issituated in the operating end 442 of the cam bolt 440 for receiving atool to turn the cam bolt 440 in the desired direction.

[0058] The linkage arms 460 a and 460 b are attached to the cam bolt 440via pins 462 at one end, and to the locking arms 480 a and 480 b at theother outside end. Although pins are described herein, other attachmentmeans may be used for attaching the linkage arms 460 to the cam bolt440. The locking arms 480 a and 480 b extend outwards from the housing420, and are attached to the linkage arm 460 a and 460 b, respectively.The locking arms 480 a, 480 b comprise body portion 482 having a topsurface 482 a and a bottom surface 482 b, and having downwardly slopingedges 484 at the outside end of the top surface 482 a. The inside end ofthe body portion 482 has an attachment point 486 for receiving thelinkage arms 460. Adjacent the attachment point 486 is recesses 488 forreceiving the springs 470. Wing ledges 490 protrude outwards from thebody portion 482 of the locking arms 480. The outside end of the bottomsurface 482 b also has an upwardly angled edge 492.

[0059] In operation, the top cover 410 is attached to the housing 420.Once attached, the downwardly extending ledge 413 and the upwardlyextending support 424 form a guide slot 425 a for receiving the lockingarms 480 a and 480 b. The downward extending node 419 serves to lock thecam bolt 440 within the groove 432. The assembled locking mechanism 400is then installed within the faucet housing body 90. Once the mountingplate 21 is installed on top of the sink ledge or countertop 10, thelocking mechanism 400 may be installed onto the mounting plate 21 bysimply aligning the faucet body housing 90 over the mounting plate 21and pressing the faucet body housing 90 into place. As the lockingmechanism 400 is pressed into position, the bottom sloping surfaces 492of the locking arms 480 abut the sloping leading ledge 30 of themounting plate 21. This bottom sloping surface 492 assists the lockingarms 480 to retract into the locking mechanism 400. As the locking arms480 a and 480 b retract, compressing the spring pairs 470 against theupwardly extending inner wall 428, the locking arms 480 a and 480 brotate the wings 450 of the cam bolt 440 in a clockwise direction,thereby displacing the linkages 460 a and 460 b. When the cam bolt 440is rotated in the clockwise direction, the linkages 460 a and 460 b passthrough the slots 426 and 418, respectively. Once the locking arms 480 aand 480 b pass by the inwardly angled arm 29, the spring pairs 470 forcethe locking arms 480 a and 480 b into the extended position. Theinstaller may next insert a suitable tool into the recess 454 to rotatethe cam bolt 440 in a counterclockwise direction to lock the lockingarms in the extended position. The top cover 410 and the housing 420prevent the cam bolt 440 from rotating past the locked position, therebypreventing the linkage arms 460 a and 460 b from retracting the lockingarms 480 a and 480 b via counterclockwise rotation.

[0060] Although the cam bolt 440 in the above-described embodiment isoriented in the horizontal direction, it is also envisioned that thelocking arms 480 a and 480 b may be rotated using a cam bolt or othersimilar device placed in a vertical or other suitable orientation. Also,the cam bolt 440 may be used to extend the locking arms 480 a and 480 bwithout the use of the linkage arms 460 a and 460 b.

[0061] While the invention has been described in what is considered tobe a preferred embodiment, other variations and modifications willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art: It is intended, therefore,that the invention not be limited to the illustrative embodiment.

1. A top mounting faucet assembly comprising a mounting plate adapted tobe securely and removably mounted to a sink, the sink having a topsurface and an under surface, the mounting plate having a plurality offluid conduits extending downwards away from the sink surface, and alsohaving attachment means for securing the mounting plate to the sinksurface; a waterway tube, the waterway tube having a plurality of fluidtubes that are in fluid communication with the fluid conduits of themounting plate; a faucet body housing, the faucet body housing having anupper surface and an open end, the faucet body being adapted to fit overthe waterway tube and to attach to the mounting plate; and a lockingmechanism, the locking mechanism being releasably secured to themounting plate and releasably secured to the faucet body housing,thereby locking the faucet body housing to the mounting plate.
 2. Thetop mounting faucet assembly of claim 1, further comprising anundercover plate to cover the open end of the faucet body housing. 3.The top mounting faucet assembly of claim 2, wherein the mounting platecomprises a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, a base platehaving a top surface and a bottom surface, the first and second fluidconduits exiting up through the base plate via openings in the baseplate, attachment posts adjacent to each fluid conduit, mounting platelocking members, wherein the first and second fluid conduits areconnected to fluid supply lines for supplying fluid to the faucetassembly.
 4. The top mounting faucet assembly of claim 3, wherein theattachment posts have an outer surface, the outer surface havingexternal threads thereon, and wherein the mounting plate locking membersare threadedly attached to the attachment posts, so that as theattachment posts are rotated in a clockwise manner, the mounting platelocking members are urged up the attachment posts until the mountingplate locking members come into contact with the under surface of thesink, so as to firmly secure the mounting plate to the sink.
 5. The topmounting faucet assembly of claim 4, wherein the mounting plate lockingmembers have an outwardly-extending body having a guide surface and anouter surface, an attachment end attached around the attachment post,and a ledge located at the end opposite the attachment end, and whereinthe guide surfaces abut the first and second fluid conduits, therebypreventing the mounting plate locking member from rotating with theattachment post.
 6. The top mounting faucet assembly of claim 2, whereinthe first and second fluid conduits have threaded outer surfaces, fordirect mounting of the mounting plate to the sink using compatiblethreaded means.
 7. The top mounting faucet assembly of claim 3, whereinthe mounting plate further comprises: a plurality of securing members,each securing member having an upwardly extending tab portion and aninwardly angled arm portion, the arm portion having a sloping edgesurface.
 8. The top mounting faucet assembly of claim 7, wherein thelocking mechanism comprises: a top cover having a plurality ofattachment points thereon, a bottom cover removably attachable to thetop cover, the bottom cover also having a plurality of attachment pointscorresponding to the attachment points of the top cover, the bottomcover further having opposing side walls, and inner walls erected atright angles to the side walls, a pair of locking arms extendingoutwards from opposing ends of the locking mechanism, a plurality ofspring members anchored between the locking arms and the inner walls ofthe bottom cover, such that the locking arms are urged towards anextended position by the plurality of spring members.
 9. The topmounting faucet assembly of claim 8, wherein the top cover of thelocking mechanism contains a guide slot there through, the bottom coverof the locking mechanism has a cutout in one of the opposing sidewalls,the pair of locking arms each has an attachment end, a body portion, anengagement end, and a top surface and a bottom surface, and furtherhaving an attachment arm extending from the attachment end of thelocking arms, and a plurality of recesses located at the attachment endadjacent the attachment arm, the plurality of spring members areanchored between the recesses of the attachment end of the locking armsand the inner walls of the bottom cover, and further comprising: a pairof linkage arms each having an inner end and an outer end, the outer endbeing connected to the attachment arm of each locking arm, and anoperating rod attached to the inner end of the linkage arms, theoperating rod having a stop mounted thereon, such that the operating rodextends outwards from the cutout in the opposing side wall of the bottomcover, and the stop rides within the guide slot in the top cover, suchthat as the operating rod is extended outwards through the cutout, thelinkage arms rotate to a position past horizontal, thereby locking thelocking arms in the fully extended position.
 10. The top mounting faucetassembly of claim 9, wherein the outward travel of the operating rod islimited by the guide slot in the top cover of the locking mechanism. 11.The top mounting faucet assembly of claim 7, wherein the lockingmechanism comprises: a top cover having a plurality of attachment pointsthereon, a bottom cover removably attachable to the top cover, thebottom cover also having upwardly extending sidewalls, a heel blockhaving a body portion and wing portions extending outwards from the bodyportion, each wing portion having a sloping leading edge and a slot cutthere through, a pair of locking arms extending outwards from opposingends of the locking mechanism, each locking arm having an attachment endand an engagement end, and further having a mating flanges extendingfrom the attachment end of the locking arm, the mating arms beingreceivable within the slot in the sloping leading edge of the wingportions of the heel block, a plurality of spring members anchoredbehind the heel block, urging the heel block towards a forward position,thereby urging the locking arms towards an extended position.
 12. Thetop mounting faucet assembly of claim 11, wherein the heel block of thelocking mechanism contains a central cylindrical guide having a threadedinner surface, and further comprising a worm screw, the worm screw beingmatingly received within the cylindrical guide, such that, as the wormscrew is rotated, the heel block is moved forward, urging the lockingarms to an extended position, and aft, urging the locking arms to aretracted position.
 13. The top mounting faucet assembly of claim 12,wherein the worm screw has a threaded shank portion and a head portion,the head portion having a circumferential groove therein, the worm screwbeing located so that the upwardly extending side wall of the bottomcover is received within the circumferential groove, thereby anchoringthe worm screw with respect to the bottom cover so that when the wormscrew is rotated, the worm screw does not change position relative tothe bottom cover.
 14. The top mounting faucet assembly of claim 7,wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a top cover having a pluralityof attachment points thereon, a housing removably attachable to the topcover, the housing having a main body portion, a plurality of upwardlyextending supports at the corners of the housing, a slot located in themain body portion of the housing, upwardly extending inner walls thatform a partially enclosed passageway within the housing, and attachmentpoints corresponding to the attachment points of the top cover, a cambolt having an operating end and an attachment end, a recess situated inthe operating end of the cam bolt, a cylindrical shaft running betweenthe operating end, of the cam bolt and the attachment end of the cambolt, the cylindrical shaft having attachment wings extending outwardsthere from, and having a groove cut into the cylindrical shaft adjacentthe attachment end of the cam bolt, a plurality of linkage arms, eachlinkage arm having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end beingattached to the cam bolt, and the outer end being attached to thelocking arms, a pair of locking arms extending outwards from opposingends of the locking mechanism, a plurality of spring members anchoredbetween the locking arms and the inner walls of the bottom cover, suchthat the locking arms are urged towards an extended position by theplurality of spring members.
 15. The top mounting faucet assembly ofclaim 14, wherein the top cover of the locking mechanism contains aguide slot there through, the bottom cover of the locking mechanism hasa cutout in one of the opposing sidewalls, the pair of locking arms eachhas an attachment end, a body portion, an engagement end, and a topsurface and a bottom surface, and further having an attachment armextending from the attachment end of the locking arms, and a pluralityof recesses located at the attachment end adjacent the attachment arm,the plurality of spring members are anchored between the recesses of theattachment end of the locking arms and the inner walls of the bottomcover, and further comprising: a pair of ledges extending outwards fromthe body portion of the locking arms, such that, when assembled with thetop cover, the ledges ride upon the upwardly extending supports at thecorners of the housing.
 16. A mounting plate for use with a top mountingfaucet assembly, comprising a first fluid conduit, a second fluidconduit, a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, thefirst and second fluid conduits exiting up through the base plate viaopenings in the base plate, attachment posts adjacent to each fluidconduit, mounting plate locking members, wherein the first and secondfluid conduits are connected to fluid supply lines for supplying fluidto the faucet assembly.
 17. The mounting plate for use with a topmounting faucet assembly of claim 16, wherein the attachment posts havean outer surface, the outer surface having external threads thereon, andwherein the mounting plate locking members are threadedly attached tothe attachment posts, so that as the attachment posts are rotated in aclockwise manner, the mounting plate locking members are urged up theattachment posts until the mounting plate locking members come intocontact with the under surface of the sink, so as to firmly secure themounting plate to the sink.
 18. The mounting plate for use with a topmounting faucet assembly of claim 17, wherein the mounting plate lockingmembers have an outwardly-extending body having a guide surface and anouter surface, an attachment end attached around the attachment post,and a ledge located at the end opposite the attachment end, and whereinthe guide surfaces abut the first and second fluid conduits, therebypreventing the mounting plate locking member from rotating with theattachment post.
 19. The mounting plate for use with a top mountingfaucet assembly of claim 18, wherein the mounting plate furthercomprises: a plurality of securing members, each securing member havingan upwardly extending tab portion and an inwardly angled arm portion,the arm portion having a sloping edge surface.
 20. A locking mechanismfor use with a top mounting faucet assembly, comprising: a top coverhaving a plurality of attachment points thereon, a housing removablyattachable to the top cover, the housing having a main body portion, acam bolt having an operating end and an attachment end, the cam boltbeing located within the housing, a recess situated in the operating endof the cam bolt, a pair of locking arms extending outwards from opposingends of the locking mechanism, the locking arms being connected to thecam bolt a plurality of spring members anchored between the locking armsand the main body portion of the housing, such that the locking arms areurged towards an extended position by the plurality of spring members.21. The locking mechanism for use with a top mounting faucet assembly ofclaim 20, wherein the top cover of the locking mechanism contains aguide slot there through, and wherein the housing has opposing upwardlyextending side walls, upwardly extending inner walls substantially atright angles to the side walls, that form a partially enclosedpassageway within the housing, a slot located in the main body portionof the housing, and attachment points corresponding to the attachmentpoints of the top cover.
 22. The locking mechanism for use with a topmounting faucet assembly of claim 21, wherein the cam bolt has acylindrical shaft extending between the operating end of the cam boltand the attachment end of the cam bolt, and further comprisingattachment wings extending outwards from the cylindrical shaft of thecam bolt, and a circumferential groove cut into the cylindrical shaftadjacent the attachment end of the cam bolt.
 23. The locking mechanismfor use with a top mounting faucet assembly of claim 22, furthercomprising: a plurality of linkage arms, each linkage arm having aninner end and an outer end, the inner end being attached to theattachment wings of the cam bolt, and the outer end being attached tothe locking arms, such that as the cam bolt is rotated, the linkage armsserve to urge the locking arms away from the fully extended position.24. The locking mechanism for use with a top mounting faucet assembly ofclaim 23, wherein the locking arms comprise: an engagement end having adownwardly sloping top surface and an upwardly sloping bottom surface,an attachment end having a back surface and having attachment jointsextending from the back surface, outwardly extending wing segmentsadapted to ride along the opposing upwardly extending side walls of thehousing, and recesses located in the back surface of the attachment end.25. The locking mechanism for use with a top mounting faucet assembly ofclaim 24, wherein the plurality of spring members are anchored betweenthe upwardly extending inner walls of the housing and the recesseslocated in the back surface of the attachment end of the locking arms.26. A decorative faucet housing assembly comprising: a faucet bodyhousing, the faucet body housing having an upper surface and an openend, a waterway tube assembly, the waterway tube assembly having aplurality of fluid tubes that are in fluid communication with the watersupply connections, the waterway tube assembly also being housed within,and removable from, the faucet body housing, a plurality of valvemechanisms for controlling the flow of water through the fluid tubes ofthe waterway tube assembly, the valve mechanisms being situated betweenthe fluid tubes and the water supply connections, and an undercoverplate to cover the open end of the faucet body housing.
 27. Thedecorative faucet housing assembly of claim 26, further comprising alocking mechanism, the locking mechanism being releasably secured to thefaucet body housing, the locking mechanism providing a means of securingthe faucet housing assembly to a mounting bracket attached to a sink.28. The decorative faucet housing assembly of claim 27, wherein thelocking mechanism comprises: a top cover having a plurality ofattachment points thereon, a housing removably attachable to the topcover, the housing having a main body portion, a cam bolt having anoperating end and an attachment end, the cam bolt being located withinthe housing, a recess situated in the operating end of the cam bolt, apair of locking arms extending outwards from opposing ends of thelocking mechanism, the locking arms being connected to the cam bolt aplurality of spring members anchored between the locking arms and themain body portion of the housing, such that the locking arms are urgedtowards an extended position by the plurality of spring members.
 29. Thedecorative faucet housing assembly of claim 27, wherein the lockingmechanism comprises: a top cover having a plurality of attachment pointsthereon, a bottom cover removably attachable to the top cover, thebottom cover also having a plurality of attachment points correspondingto the attachment points of the top cover, the bottom cover furtherhaving opposing side walls, and inner walls erected at right angles tothe side walls, a pair of locking arms extending outwards from opposingends of the locking mechanism, a plurality of spring members anchoredbetween the locking arms and the inner walls of the bottom cover, suchthat the locking arms are urged towards an extended position by theplurality of spring members.
 30. A cover assembly for a faucet, thecover assembly covering a conduit for delivering fluid, the coverassembly comprising: a base attached to a supporting surface for thefaucet, a decorative cover, and an attachment that removably attachesthe cover assembly to the base such that the cover assembly may bechanged for a different cover assembly without disturbing the conduit.31. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises abracket for attaching the cover assembly to the bracket and forattaching the bracket to the surface.
 32. The cover assembly of claim 2,wherein the bracket is disposed above the conduit.
 33. The coverassembly of claim 2, wherein the bracket is disposed below the conduit.34. A cover for a faucet assembly having a base and a fluid conduitdisposed above the base therein, the cover comprising: a decorativesurface without a conduit therein, and an attachment wherein thedecorative surface may be removably, but securely, connected to thebase.